Bye to PI
Bye to PI
#1Bye to PI
Posted: 7/20/23 at 10:20pm
Finally saw LIFE OF PI tonight. Fine stagecraft and story.
But, and sorry the show is closing, the replacement for Hiran Abeysekara as Pi was beyond incompetent. Strictly high school, with no nuance, emotion or skill. Like she was reading the script for the first time. Yes, she. Really ruined the show for me. And at those prices. Producers should be ashamed. Going out with a whimper.
Wayman_Wong
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#2Bye to PI
Posted: 7/21/23 at 12:39am
''Bye, bye, to the actor of 'Pi.' Drove my Chevy to the levee ..''
What a shame Hiran Abeysekera, who won an Olivier Award for this performance, couldn't hang around for 2 more weeks, so he could have the honor of wrapping up its N.Y, run.
Fosse76
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
#3Bye to PI
Posted: 7/21/23 at 5:54am
Skip23 said: "Finally saw LIFE OF PI tonight. Fine stagecraft and story.
But, and sorry the show is closing, the replacement for Hiran Abeysekara as Pi was beyond incompetent. Strictly high school, with no nuance, emotion or skill. Like she was reading the script for the first time. Yes, she. Really ruined the show for me. And at those prices. Producers should be ashamed. Going out with a whimper."
The actress who plays Pi's sister, who is the second understudy, is significantly better in the role of Pi. Personally, I dont think it makes any sense to have gender-swapped the role, but they should have gone with her.
#4Bye to PI
Posted: 7/21/23 at 6:19am
I'm sorry to see it go - I saw it once in London where it also struggled financially and I thought it was just so beautiful, even if the writing and some of the acting I saw was rather questionable. I thought the spectacle would be enough, I guess not.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#6Bye to PI
Posted: 7/21/23 at 9:28am
I couldn't get on board with seeing it, not here in Boston or in NY. I just heard far too many horrific reactions. I understand the technical side was pretty awesome, but I need more. And I'm kind of over the whole puppet thing.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#7Bye to PI
Posted: 7/21/23 at 11:37am
Fosse76 said: "Personally, I dont think it makes any sense to have gender-swapped the role"
Out of curiosity, what do you think doesn't make sense with a female Pi? I saw it with Abeysekara, but I'm not sure I can recall anything in the show that really hinges on Pi's gender.
Islander_fan
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/25/14
#8Bye to PI
Posted: 7/21/23 at 3:23pm
Wayman_Wong said: "''Bye, bye, to the actor of 'Pi.' Drove my Chevy to the levee ..''
What a shame Hiran Abeysekera, who won an Olivier Award for this performance, couldn't hang around for 2 more weeks, so he could have the honor of wrapping up its N.Y, run."
He was only scheduled to do a few months to open the show in NYC. Sadly, it just so happened that the closing coincided with his scheduled time to leave the production. Rather than re casting at this point. They put the Pi alternate in and she is the one closing out the show.
And yes, the actress playing Pi’s sister is the second understudy. They had her go on a couple of times. When she was on the understudy for the sister is much older. Not that in and of itself is a bad thing. But, from a visual standpoint she looks too old to be Pi’s sister and that took me out of it a little.
Videos